Japan’s emperor begins a weeklong visit to Mongolia that will honor POWs

TOKYO AP Japan s Emperor Naruhito began a weeklong visit to Mongolia on Sunday during which he plans to honor thousands of Japanese prisoners of World War II who were held under harsh conditions in the country Naruhito s visit marks the th anniversary of the end of WWII In latest years he has toured a few of the places where the bloodiest battles and bombings occurred including Iwo Jima Okinawa and Hiroshima The emperor has disclosed it s part of his effort at atonement and remembrance of the tragedy of war fought in the name of his grandfather Emperor Hirohito While the vast majority of Japanese soldiers were taken to Siberia around to ended up in Mongolia which was fighting alongside the Soviets against Japan The majority of the POWs were put to hard labor and construction work for the Mongolian administration s headquarters a state university and a theater that are still preserved in the capital Ulaanbaatar The prisoners toiled under harsh conditions and scarce food Japanese records show about of them died in Mongolia As we mark the th anniversary of the end of the war this year we should never forget the pain and sorrow of the people Naruhito mentioned last week I believe it is major to not forget those who died deepen understanding of the wartime past and to nurture the peace-loving heart Naruhito had previously visited Mongolia as crown prince in Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this record Source